Synthetic modifications of bifunctional homoallylamines: Synthesis of 2-arylpiperidines, (R)-anatabine and (R)-anabasine

The chiral homoallylamines with orthogonal bifunctional handle, an amine, and a pendant allyl unit are available to be easily converted into N-heterocycles. The N-allylation and Ru-catalyzed ring-closing metathesis delivered the bioactive 2-arylpiperidines, Nicotiana tabacum alkaloids (R)-anatabine and (R)-anabasine in three steps. A formal synthesis of (R)-N-methylanatabine and (R)-N-methylanabasine is also completed.